11:45am Wednesday 25th June 2008
By Simon Mail
ST ALBANS CITY manager Steve Castle remains hopeful Akanni-Sunday Wasiu will be back at the club next season.
The Nigerian striker has failed to return Castle's phone calls this summer and is searching for his dream move to a league club. But Castle has revealed the door is still open for him if he does not make an impression elsewhere.
Castle said: "I really don't know what is happening with the lad but if he doesn't get a league club I would like to think we would be his first call. There is definitely something there with him. We are going to be looking at other lads but I would like to think we would welcome him back with open arms."
But Castle is unsure whether talented midfielder Hassan Sulaiman will agree terms with the Saints after admitting they are a long way apart in talks.
Castle said: "He is not being unreasonable but everyone has a price. He has got to prove he is worth what he thinks he is. We have made him an offer which does not match what he wants at the moment."
The Saints return to training on Monday and Castle is keen to made three or four additions to his squad. He cannot wait to get back on the pitch and is confident of a good campaign after his side finished the season superbly to avoid relegation last year.
He said: "We have kept most of the players that did so well at the back end of the season. I think we ended up with one defeat in our last 15 matches.
"We have a good group of lads and with three or four more we have a good chance of competing. I don't like making too many predictions but I'm quietly confident about our chances."
The Saints boss expects his players to come back in great shape and wants his team to emerge as one of the fittest in the Blue Square South this year.
"We are all looking forward to coming back and getting that zest back for football," Castle said. "All the lads have positive vibes and have been in the gym and fitness will be the key for us. I want us to be one of the fittest teams in the league."
Castle is already relishing the prestigious centenary clash at home to Spurs on July 16 and hopes the fans will turn up in their numbers for the big occasion.
"It is quite nostalgic and they are the first team we played all those years ago," he added. "It is nice to be tested and they will bring a very strong side. There will be some starlets there and hopefully a few first teamers. It will be nice for the fans to come down and support us in our centenary year."
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